The village-city debate begins

This is the first installment of a series of columns on the City of Canandaigua’s history by City Historian Lynn Paulson in celebration of the centennial year of the city’s formation.

By Lynn Paulson, Canandaigua city historian

MPNnow

By Lynn Paulson, Canandaigua city historian

Posted Jan. 15, 2013 at 12:01 AM
Updated Jan 15, 2013 at 3:14 PM

By Lynn Paulson, Canandaigua city historian

Posted Jan. 15, 2013 at 12:01 AM
Updated Jan 15, 2013 at 3:14 PM

Canandaigua, N.Y.

Just 100 years ago, local tempers ran high over the question of the Village of Canandaigua becoming a city.

The issue had been previously discussed but was revived with a petition from local leaders and businessmen that began circulating on January 20, 1913, requesting the Village Board of Trustees to set a date for voting on the proposition. If passed, a city charter would be adopted and submitted to the New York State Legislature and governor for approval. The petition was accepted by the trustees and the voting date set for Jan. 31, 1913.

In New York State, whether a municipality is defined as a city, town or village is not dependent on population or land area, but rather by the form of government selected by residents and approved by the state Legislature. Each such government is granted varying home rule powers as provided by the New York State Constitution. The main difference between a city and a village is that cities are organized and governed according to their charters, which can differ widely among cities, while most villages are subject to a uniform statewide Village Law. Also, while villages are part of a town or towns, cities are neither part of or subordinate to towns.

Canandaigua in 1913 had a population of 7,217, according to the 1910 U.S. census. Thirty-six passenger trains arrived and departed from the Union Station daily and 46 electric trolleys arrived and departed from the Rochester and Eastern Rapid Railroad station daily. The village had 10 miles of paved streets, a modern sewage system, a municipally owned water supply system, an efficient police department, four first-class volunteer fire companies, electric lighting throughout the village and a commercial gas manufacturing plant. It had a large manufactory of anti-rusting tinware and enameled steel ware, a large brewery, canning factory, cracker factory, plow factory, spoke factory, cider mill, machine shops, sash and blind factories and two first-class banks. The Chamber of Commerce boosted that “Canandaigua was noted for the beauty of its shady streets, well-kept and handsome residences, fine public buildings, exceptional educational facilities, healthful climate and all the advantages of a city without the discomforts.”

The issue of becoming a city after being a village since 1815 immediately divided the community as influential and vocal leaders quickly acted to attract supporters. The question of becoming a city was vigorously discussed on the streets, in business establishments, at meetings of private organizations, at public hearings and in church as the theme of a Sunday sermon. Local newspapers were filled with informative pieces outlining the advantages and disadvantages of Canandaigua becoming a city, petitions pro and con with the names of those citizens who had signed them, stated opinions of special interest groups and editorials expressing the publishers’ points of view.

The major arguments in favor of becoming a city centered on the financial advantages to the taxpayers. Several revenues from the village/town, state, mortgage and liquor taxes that were shared with the town of Canandaigua would now be the sole asset of the city therefore, reducing taxes for the citizens of Canandaigua. In addition, as a city it could collect revenue from its own city court, building permits and vendor license fees. Another issue was the question of village people paying for roads in the town as well as for their own streets. A city designation would end this inequity.

Page 2 of 2 -
A proponent of Canandaigua becoming a city was then village mayor Peter P. Turner. He argued that under the current administrative system of the village and its various boards, these minor boards had too much power. Under a city administrative system, the recommendations of these boards would be referred to the Common Council for final consideration and implementation.

While a secondary argument, the real issue, at least in emotional terms, was whether Canandaigua would remain “wet.” Attempts to eliminate the liquor business from the village had failed twice before. If Canandaigua became a city, the liquor question would be settled once and for all since by law, cities in New York State were unable to exercise the local option right that towns and villages possessed. Also, a state constitutional amendment giving women the right to vote was being seriously considered by the New York State Legislature (it was passed in 1917). Several local leaders felt that they might vote against the liquor measure, and a city charter would prevent that from happening.

The opponents of Canandaigua becoming a city had their arguments as well.